Tuesday, April 15, 2008

John Stefanidis and his Terrific Table Settings

John Stefanidis is truly a master of design. What appeals to me about his work is that he mixes the traditional with the contemporary with aplomb. But what you may or may know is that he is also quite skilled at setting a beautiful and gracious table. With an eye for detail, Stefanidis can create sophisticated table settings for a home in Belgravia as well as charming, casual tableaux for lunch at a farmhouse (a chic farmhouse, mind you).

Stefanidis was kind enough to share with us some photos of his various table settings. He also listed information pertaining to the flatware, glassware, fabrics, etc. I know that this is very helpful to me as I tend to study photos like these- with my magnifying glass of course!

And just to see if you're on your toes, John thought it would be fun to present us with a quiz on the image at top. Well, I failed the quiz. I only answered two questions correctly. Hopefully, you'll fare better than I. (And I won't make you wait until tomorrow for the answers. I've included them at the very end of the post.)

18th Century House in LondonJohn Stefanidis designed round table painted to look like parchmentCy Twombly Painting. *Stefanidis writes that "one should not turn away from contemporary art in all its manifestations but incorporate it in one's life"Rug: pink Spanish with Arabic inscriptionCentrepiece: Indonesian bowl- container for rice and condiments used for taking offerings to a templeGlasses: 19th c. French with gilt decorationPlates: WedgwoodBoxes: Indian

Dual Purpose AreaStefanidis designed table: low oak side table is hydraulically controlled so that it can be raised for eating. Geometrical veneer patterns.Banquette seating stretches across and fills the alcove to maximise the seating area.Table set with chop sticks and china spoons for a Japanese meal. Black and red place settings reinforce the oriental theme.Silver shells.

Country Breakfast in DorsetTablecloth- blue and white striped tickingBlue and white Spode table settingPolished cherrywood top on slatted radiator cover used as sideboardSilver coffee potsBlue and white Chinese plates and bowls in bookcaseVenetian glasses with blue spiral designStefanidis designed chair with "Scritch-Scratch" fabric loose covers

Stylish Dining in BelgraviaStefanidis designed oval terracotta red lacquer dining table; the oval shape allows an additional two guests to be seated than if the table was circular.Antique silver candlesticksStencilled walls with design inspired by the pattern on a Japanese kimonoStefanidis candlestick lampAntique glasswareSilk beige and brown striped curtains with attached fringe pelmetsLacquered sideboard with display of Chinese plates

Caribbean Dining PavilionGlass sliding doors and pinoleum blinds to protect guests from the wind and sun.Table top made of cement hammered to look like jet black slate. The base is a cement drum with a pebble inlay.Cane chairs with braided rawhideCentrepiece with bougainvillea and jasmine flowersPlates: Leaf design from TiffanyCutlery: Bamboo design

Well, at least I passed the squab cushion part of the test!"The thinnest form of seat cushion is a pancake squab,which is really a pad little thicker than the cord or piping used to edge it,and it is often float-tufted. This is the usual form of squab for a chair with a rush seat."Quote from John Fowler, "English Decoration in the 18th Century"

I got squabs! and faux, that's about all, pretty lame. My favorite picture is the lunch set up in the old country house. I love that house!! I wonder if the outdoors lunch was set up in the garden of his country house too? probably. Wonderful post, just wonderful! as always, of course.Joni

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who studies photographs like these with a magnifying glass. For the designers featured out there? Yes. Yes, we do. I find the photos to be not only inspirational, but also an education, and in this piece you've combined both, so kuddos.

I've been a huge fan of Venini glassware for some time. I was lucky to attend a lecture once from a master glassblower of Venini. They have quite a history.

P.S. I didn't know squabs, but I actually purchased some of those chairs when I was starting out as a means of having elegance at low cost. My mother made the squabs from this French manufactured paisley she had left from some project.

Fun posting -- and informative too! Didn't know the formal name of the chair cushions -- and kept thinking that "squab" was a type of game bird! Silly me! LOVE the farmhouse table in Dorset set for the luncheon -- crisp, inviting and charming! Thanks for sharing!

aHA! I googled "squab" -- and it is indeed a type of young game pigeon -- raised for it meat -- as well as a type of cushion or even (according to some online sources) a type of sofa? Odd -- but true! I knew my days reading romance novels under a flashlight would come in handy someday! ((thinking of the notorious very late-night "supper" offered by the notorious hero .... or villain! -- to the innocent heroine) LOL!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage who was amazed to learn that there are farmers in California who raise "squabs"